Effect on growth of long-term treatment with intranasal triamcinolone acetonide aqueous in children with allergic rhinitis.
BACKGROUND
Guidelines recommend treatment with intranasal corticosteroids for patients with allergic rhinitis (AR), but concerns remain about possible adverse effects.


OBJECTIVE
To present the 1- and 2-year growth results for children with AR treated with triamcinolone acetonide aqueous nasal spray.


METHODS
Thirty-nine children (aged 6.1-14.3 years at study entry) were treated with triamcinolone acetonide aqueous for 1 year, and a subset of 30 children completed a second year of treatment. The dose was physician titered to achieve control over AR symptoms. For each child, statural heights at baseline and at the 1- and 2-year (where available) visits, together with growth rates, were measured and were compared with predicted values.


RESULTS
There were no significant differences between measured and predicted heights at the 1- and 2-year visits. The mean (SD) measured--predicted difference was 0.3 (2.2) cm (95% confidence interval, -0.4 to 1.0 cm) at the 1-year visit and 0.5 (3.0) cm (95% confidence interval, -0.6 to 1.6 cm) at the 2-year visit. Mean differences in measured and predicted growth rates were nonsignificant at the 1- and 2-year visits.


CONCLUSIONS
Triamcinolone acetonide aqueous titered to control AR symptoms and given for 1 or 2 years had no significant effect on statural growth in children with AR.
Skoner
David P
DP
Division of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15212, USA. dskoner@wpahs.org
Gentile
Deborah A
DA
Doyle
William J
WJ
D000281:Administration, Intranasal; D000293:Adolescent; D001827:Body Height / Q000187:drug effects*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006128:Growth / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010349:Patient Compliance; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014222:Triamcinolone Acetonide / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use
D005938:Glucocorticoids; D014222:Triamcinolone Acetonide